This project involved creating a 90-150 second video tutorial using Camtasia, designed to introduce beginners to creating and applying styles in Google Docs. The tutorial aimed to enhance document organization and professionalism while making the process accessible for new users. Drawing from techniques learned in my Digital Literacies course, I incorporated screencasting, instructional design principles, and usability best practices to deliver a clear and engaging learning experience.
Background
The goals of the video included:
- Providing clear, step-by-step instructions on applying and customizing styles in Google Docs.
- Demonstrating the benefits of using styles, such as creating a clickable Table of Contents (TOC) and improving accessibility.
- Using visuals, audio narration, and on-screen highlights to engage viewers and make the instructions easy to follow.
The deliverable was a polished, professional video tutorial suitable for sharing on platforms like YouTube or as part of a larger training library.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this project were:
- To design a concise, user-friendly script and storyboard for the video tutorial.
- To create a screencast demonstrating key functionalities in Google Docs.
- To produce an engaging tutorial with professional audio narration and visual markers.
- To ensure the tutorial met accessibility standards and provided value to beginner users.
Outcome
The project achieved the following results:
- Clear Instructions: A well-structured video tutorial that broke down complex tasks into manageable steps, ideal for beginner users.
- Engaging Delivery: The use of audio narration, on-screen highlights, and visual markers effectively guided viewers through the process.
- Usability and Accessibility: The video emphasized accessibility features, such as improving readability for screen readers and consistent formatting.
- Professional Deliverable: The final video was polished, meeting the technical and design standards outlined in the course.
Approach
The project was completed through a systematic process informed by my coursework in Digital Literacies.
Scripting and Storyboarding
The process began with the development of a script and storyboard to define the structure, visuals, and narration. The storyboard included:
- Key frames for each step in the process.
- Subtitles and visual effects, such as zooms and highlights, to emphasize important actions.
- Narration text designed to align with the visual actions on-screen.
Recording and Editing
The next phase involved recording and editing the video:
During screen recording, I used Camtasia to captured the step-by-step process in Google Docs, including creating, applying, and customizing styles.
For the audio narration, I recorded voiceovers on Camtasia, aligned with on-screen actions for a cohesive user experience.
During editing, I incorporated transitions, visual markers, and subtitles to enhance clarity and engagement.
Final Deliverable
The final video was exported in 1080p resolution for a professional appearance. I reviewed it against course rubrics to ensure it met technical, design, and accessibility standards.